California Bowls

One of the earliest bowl shows of the season is Ramona, an annual pageant held in Hemet at the Ramona Bowl, a fantastic outdoor amphitheater that includes action in the hills above the stage area. "The Official California Outdoor Play" began in 1923 and continues to be a must-see on our bucket list of things to do before we 'pass the bucket'. This year it goes till May 1st so there's not much time to catch.

Probably the best known bowl in California is Hollywood Bowl. Opening night on June 18, 2016 features Steely Dan in concert. Playboy Jazz Festival is June 11 & 12; Chicago and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra rock the Bowl with 4th of July fireworks.

Irvine Bowl's Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach, takes place July 7-August 31, presenting the annual living art production. The world's great artworks are recreated on stage with actors appearing in the paintings and doing their best not to flinch as the audience examines the illusion of them being part of an actual painting. 

Rose Bowl kicks the bucket on the concept of a season as this active venue features year-round events, festivals and activities. The New Year's Rose Bowl Stadium football game is the best known event held at this National Historic Landmark, open for tours.  

Ojai's Libbey Bowl: After the complete tear-down and reconstruction of Libbey Bowl in 2011, Libbey Bowl Foundation managed the bowl. In November 2015 the City Council directed the formation of a Libbey Bowl Ad-Hoc committee to research options for the permanent management of the facility. In the interim, Libbey Bowl is being managed by the City.  Call: 805-272-3881.

Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara hosted Super Bowl 50, but the venue is definitely a stadium, not a bowl.

Burbank Starlight Bowl hosts summer concerts. starlightbowl.com

San Diego's Starlight Bowl in Balboa Park as of this posting has been ignored and is decaying. No show has been held there in several years. balboapark.org

Santa Barbara Bowl is an outdoor concert venue featuring a full list of popular musical acts. Built in 1936 for the Fiesta Pageant, the bowl was renovated by 2014 at the cost of $40 million. It is operated by a foundation. sbbowl.com

Redlands Bowls in the City of Redlands is an outdoor venue with stadium style seating. It features summer concerts and orchestras in free concerts. redlandsbowl.org